Kansas Department of Transportation TRANSLINES EXPRESS Feb. 3, 2021
Westbound Lewis and Clark Viaduct reopens
By Kelly Kultala District One
Westbound I-70 on the Lewis and Clark Viaduct in Kansas City opened to traffic on Jan. 23. The bridge replacement project started in 2018 and was delayed for several months in 2019 due to the Kansas River flooding. The project was estimated to cost $65 million. The Lewis and Clark Viaduct is a network of bridges along I-70 that connects Kansas and Missouri in Kansas City. The original westbound bridge was built in 1962 and updated in 1984. Minor An eastbound view of the new westbound I-70 lanes on the Lewis and Clark work will continue on the bridge Viaduct that opened on Jan. 23. Photo by Joel Smith, District One this spring, requiring some lane closures. The new 2,982-foot-long bridge includes: s 20 new piers; s 55,072,220 feet of pile in new pier footings; s 2,388 feet of 6-foot diameter drilled shafts in four of the new footings (36 drilled shafts total); s 3,327,780 pounds of reinforcing steel; s19,967 cubic yards of concrete in new bridge; s Over 8,883,902 pounds of steel girders; s 5,388 feet of concrete beam girders. A historical look from a similar view to the photo above of viaduct construction in 1962. Archive photo from Multimedia Services Multiple snowplows hit in late January TRANSLINES EXPRESS By Ashley Perez and Lisa Mussman District Two and District Three Published by the Kansas Department of Transportation
Multiple KDOT plows were hit during a major winter storm that affected the Office of the Secretary state in late January. Eisenhower State Office Building In District Two, two snowplows were struck while plowing snow on Kansas 700 SW Harrison highways. On Jan. 26, a snowplow was taken off the roadway after being Topeka, KS struck from the rear on I-70 near Abilene. The plow sustained significant damage. A truck was also clipped on U.S. 81 near Minneapolis, causing Transportation Secretary minor damage and removing the truck from its route on Jan. 27. Julie Lorenz “We urge motorists to slow down and give our plows room to work, not only Deputy Secretary for your safety and ours but also to keep our plows on the road and working Burt Morey to improve road conditions as quickly as possible,” says Brad Anderson, Maggie Doll Clay Center area superintendent. Lindsey Douglas A truck in District Three was also hit on Jan. 27 in Trego County. According Administration to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the KDOT truck was plowing in the Maribel Manos westbound lanes when it was struck in the rear by a vehicle that had Aviation lost control. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene on foot, and it was Bob Brock discovered that the car he was driving had been stolen in Missouri on Jan. 13, the KHP report said. He was apprehended a short time later. Fortunately, Communications the KDOT driver was not injured and the plow was quickly returned into Steve Hale service. Engineering and Design Calvin Reed
Field Operations Clay Adams
Fiscal & Asset Management Lindsey Douglas A KDOT plow truck sustained minor Innovative Technologies Mike Floberg damage after it was hit while plowing Planning & Development on I-70 on Jan. Chris Herrick 27. Photos by Eric Hendrickson, Policy District Three Joel Skelley Program & Project Management Mark Taylor
Project Delivery Greg Schieber
Safety Troy Whitworth
2 │ Newsletter ► Feb. 3, 2021 Vogel named KDOT Chief of Maintenance
By Kim Stich available, she took the Headquarters opportunity to return. “It’s an honor and exciting coming back to KDOT, which A familiar face is coming back to the Kansas has been the majority of my Department of Transportation as Jaci Vogel has been career,” she said. “I look forward named the Bureau Chief of Maintenance. She replaces to assisting the agency maintain Clay Adams, who was named KDOT Director of Field the highway infrastructure and Operations. provide the necessary resources Vogel started at KDOT in 1989 in Transportation to the maintenance personnel Planning, then transferred to Construction and Jaci Vogel to do their jobs efficiently and Maintenance (later named Construction and Materials) effectively.” and held several positions in the maintenance area. Vogel said she is glad to be returning to KDOT. In 2007, she was promoted to the District One Maintenance Engineer where she served for 10 years. “Someone sent me an email and said welcome home. It Vogel left KDOT in 2017 to become the Deputy Director was touching,” she said. of Public Works Operations for the City of Topeka. She and her husband Scott, a KDOT retiree, have two When the Bureau of Maintenance position became grown sons and enjoy hiking and walking.
Menke named KDOT Construction/Materials Chief
Tony Menke has been selected as the new Bureau Staffing shortages will be a Chief of Construction and Materials for the Kansas challenge as the agency moves Department of Transportation. forward. He graduated from the University of Kansas with “We’ve got some obstacles. a civil engineering degree and from Emporia State We’re facing a shortage of University with a physics degree. “Physics plays a role inspectors, so we’ll have to in engineering,” Menke said. “There is a lot of overlap.” look at different ways to provide the inspections we need to Menke started at KDOT in 2003 at the Emporia deliver construction projects as Construction office. In 2008, he was promoted to District well as maintenance projects,” One Assistant Construction Engineer in Topeka. In Menke said. “We also have a 2011, he transferred to Headquarters and was the Field Tony Menke shortage of engineers in some Construction Engineer in Construction and Materials. of the Construction and Area offices. Most offices have He left KDOT in 2014, returning in 2016 as District One both positions, but there are several offices that have Construction and Materials Engineer where he served neither.” until his current promotion. He and his wife, Alissa, have three children and live “I have a variety of experience that will benefit the in Carbondale. They enjoy outdoor activities such as things this position handles on both the construction hiking, camping and bike riding. and materials sides,” Menke said. “We will be making decisions to lead the agency and help deliver the IKE transportation plan.”
Feb. 3, 2021 ◄ Newsletter │ 3 K-39 bridge repair scheduled By Priscilla Petersen District Four
On the evening of Jan. 14, an off-road dump truck using a haul road that runs under K-39 west of Chanute collided with a bridge column. The speeding truck “basically blew one of the columns out,” according to Construction Engineer Kyler Farmer of the KDOT area office at Pittsburg. KDOT immediately closed K-39 between U.S. 75 and U.S. 169, and placed traffic on a detour along U.S. 75, K-47 and U.S. 169. A push is underway to begin an emergency repair project to shore up and stabilize the bridge deck, and also replace the footing of the destroyed column. Farmer said that a design consultant has been working on project plans with the KDOT bridge inspection team. On Feb. 1, KDOT held a virtual pre-bid conference with three contractors. Project bids were expected to be received a few days later. It’s important to have the bridge repair finished and K-39 reopened to traffic by March, said Farmer. A project to reconstruct a section This bridge column underneath K-39 did not of U.S. 169 in Neosho County is scheduled to let this year, and survive an encounter with an off-road dump K-39 will be a part of the detour for that improvement. truck. Photo by Wayne Nelson, District Four
KDOT employees assist in effort to Thank you for your service provide warmth to Topeka students Retirees KDOT employees from the Office of Civil Rights and Chief The following employee will retire from KDOT Counsel’s Office helped distribute 274 packages of winter in March. hats, gloves and scarves to students at Lowman Hill District Three Elementary School in Topeka on Feb. 2. Holly Richards, Engineering Technician Doria Watson, KDOT employee and representative of the Senior, Phillipsburg Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Kansas City, coordinated the donations, which were provided In Memory by COMTO. Condolences to the family of Rodger “Rod” “It is a blessing to be able to support the scholars at Lowman Gregory, of Panama City Beach, Florida. He Hill and their families during the winter months,” Watson passed away on Jan. 24, according to Kent- said. “Making a difference in our communities through youth Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery. engagement is a focus of COMTO.” Gregory retired as Highway Maintenance “Our staff, students, and families are very grateful for this Superintendent in Winfield in 1998 after a generous donation and hope it brings joy to each scholar as three-decade career with KDOT. they receive their gifts,” said Lauren C. Frederic, Principal of Early College Prep Academy at Lowman Hill Elementary.
4 │ Newsletter ► Feb. 3, 2021 Be aware, plan ahead in every work situation
By Troy Whitworth reminder of the incident. Division of Safety Director For me, these close calls made me think more about what I was getting ready to do. I started to think more about the potential hazards involved in the work. Once As I think back to when I started working for KDOT I I started to think instead of just jumping in, it helped me remember many things. I remember being the young in several ways. guy on the crew with a little experience and a lot of I started having less of those ‘wow’ moments and enthusiasm. Many of my co-workers would tell me to became more productive. The reason I was more slow down, we have adequate time to get this done. productive is because I started to plan my approach At the time, I had the habit to the jobs that I was of jumping into a job without assigned. This plan thinking of the potential helped me decide what adverse consequences equipment and supplies of my actions. Most of the I needed to help me get time I got away with my the job done safely and carelessness. Every now efficiently. and then, I would get a There can be many wakeup call though. hazards that we have You know that moment to deal with in the jobs where you see your life we do every day. Slow flash before your eyes. down and think about The cold sweat and heart the best approach to pounding, wow…that was completing the work you close. are assigned. Discuss the process with the crew you I would bet all of you have experienced that feeling at are working with prior to starting the job. Define the one time or another. You probably said to yourself - I will visible hazards and discuss the potential hazards that definitely not do that again. Just being able to say that may crop up. is a testament to the fact that you survived. Hopefully These are critical elements to improving your safety and there were no consequences. But some of you may situational awareness at work each and every day. have ended up with an ache, scar, limp or some other
Feb. 3, 2021 ◄ Newsletter │ 5 Forestry head saves time, protects workers
By Tim Potter District Five
During a recent Teams meeting of District Five area supervisors, the talk turned to the benefits of a forestry head. What is a forestry head? It’s a brush-devouring tool – a drum with carbide teeth that spin rapidly as they chew through timber and shoot mulch ahead. The forestry head attaches to the front of a skid steer loader. To District Engineer Brent Terstriep, the forestry head offers two main benefits: being able to clear trees The forestry head at work on K-15, above, and on K-55, below. Photos by Greg Dixon and brush from right of way and Scott Kent, District Five in less time and being able to do it with less risk of injury. Greg Dixon, Winfield Area Superintendent, said a Keeping brush under control on right of way is key forestry head can do in a day what a five-person crew to giving motorists better visibility, including a better can do in a week. Without a forestry head, a crew must chance of seeing approaching wildlife or vehicles. use chainsaws and feed cuttings into a chipper. “It’s much safer” with a forestry head, Dixon said. In the shelter of an enclosed skid steer cab behind protective glass, “You don’t have a chance of a chainsaw hurting someone or limbs falling” onto workers, he said. Area Three has used the forestry head for brush work along U.S. 77, K-15, K-55, K-44 and K-360. Area Three in Winfield shares the forestry head with Area Two in El Dorado, where Area Superintendent Tom McCartney agrees with Dixon on the tool’s effectiveness. “It’s amazing how much more efficient it is,” McCartney said. Another advantage, he said, is the combined comfort and health benefit: The operator works in a climate- controlled cab, shielded from oppressive heat or bitter cold and all kinds of irritants amongst the brush, from mosquitoes, to wasps to poison ivy. And without the heavy exertion that comes from wielding chainsaws and handling brush.
6 │ Newsletter ► Feb. 3, 2021 Snowplow operators - they give and give up
By Max Dirks Hays Area Superintendent
Snowstorms earlier this winter in southwest Kansas made me think about KDOT snowplow operators in general. Something I had realized, but never thought about in my 28-plus years with KDOT; KDOT snowplow operators - they give and give up. Think about this: When a plow operator is called out to pretreat, or to treat or plow road, they give: sThey give to that school bus driver bringing kids to and from During every storm, KDOT snowplow operators across the state work around the school. clock to clear snow from highways. File photo sThey give to people traveling to w o r k a n d b a c k h o m e t o t h e i r f a m i l i e s . sThey give up watching their kids’ school program, sThey give to the bulk fuel hauler to get much needed concert, ballgame and other activities. gas and diesel to the truck stops and convenience sThey give up weekends of the “honey-do list” that stores. needs to get done. s They give to the traveler or truck driver who needs the sThey give up that anniversary date they had planned fuel to keep moving. with their loved one. s They give to that family that wants to get to the ski sThey give up that weekend hunt they had planned for slopes or have holiday plans. months. s They give to the local grocery store by getting that sThey give up Thanksgiving and/or Christmas plans to much needed delivery truck passage so they can be with family and friends. keep their shelves stocked. sThey give up spending time with family and being there s They give to the businesses that need supplies to open gifts on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas brought in, but also to those businesses that need morning. supplies sent out. sThey give up the New Year’s get together. sThey give to the emergency personnel who are needed in case of an accident or that ambulance sThey give up the Super Bowl parties. t h a t n e e d s t o t r a n s p o r t a p a t i e n t t o a n o t h e r h o s p i t a l . Bottom line, they give up time with family and friends, Bottom line, they give to the entire community by time they will never get back. keeping commerce moving. If I was asked to provide my definition of a KDOT Then, they also give up. Not give up as in, throw your snowplow operator, this is what comes to mind - they arms in the air and walk away. But instead, because give up, to give... they are needed out on the road:
Feb. 3, 2021 ◄ Newsletter │ 7 KTA tests first cashless exit ramp in Wichita
By Tracy Crockett District Five
The Kansas Turnpike Authority has its first cashless exit. KDOT was recently invited to help test drive the new ramp, which opened on Feb. 1. Exit 53A to westbound U.S. 54 in east Wichita will not have a toll booth. Drivers will pay the fee after their trip. KTA Customers will have 10 days to go online, search for their trip using their license plate and pay their toll. K-TAG customers will be billed as usual. If the toll isn’t paid within 10 days, a statement will be mailed at a higher rate. The new Exit 53A on the Kansas Turnpike is part of the East Kellogg expansion project in Wichita, a collaboration between the City of Wichita, KDOT and the KTA. To learn more The new cashless exit on the KTA is now open to traffic. Photo about the project, click here. by Tracy Crockett, District Five
Impaired driving includes anything that impairs your Super Bowl Sunday message: ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Impaired Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving driving not only puts your life and the lives of others in danger, but the monetary costs of driving under the influence can have a devastating financial impact. KDOT has a message for everyone this Super Bowl Sunday: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Many Law enforcement agencies across the state will be football fans across the state will enjoy watching the combining resources beginning Friday, Feb. 5, through Kansas City Chiefs participate in Super Bowl LV this Sunday, Feb.7, to detect, arrest and remove impaired Sunday, Feb. 7. But the celebration should not involve drivers. driving impaired. “Law enforcement is committed to reducing crashes “This weekend’s Super Bowl gives us a chance to enjoy and traffic fatalities,” said Kansas Highway Patrol a great football game and cheer on the Kansas City Superintendent Herman Jones. “The Kansas Highway Chiefs,” said Secretary Julie Lorenz. “If you are going to Patrol is proud to partner with other law enforcement drink, be smart and designate a driver before you begin agencies across the state in our on-going battle against celebrating. Don’t end the day with a ticket, a crash or impaired driving.” worse.” The enforcement campaign is funded by a federal grant The Kansas initiative is part of the National Highway administered by KDOT. This enforcement campaign Traffic Safety Administration’s annual campaign. reminds motorists to never drive impaired.
8 │ Newsletter ► Feb. 3, 2021 How pavement gets evaulated for preservation work
A mill and overlay project on U.S. 183 in Rush County was part of pavement preservation. Photo by Neisha Vetter, District Five
By Tim Potter to be considered for preservation work. Then Terstriep, District Five Construction and Materials Engineer Nick Squires and each area engineer get into vehicles and drive over the pavement. They look closely at the surface for cracking Each year, KDOT district staffs recommend sections of and other signs of distress, where water can penetrate highways for preservation ranging from a chip seal to a and keep deteriorating road materials. Sometimes, they mill and overlay. can feel the roughness just driving over it and hearing a Without getting too detailed or technical, how do they “thump, thump, thump” of the tires. decide which roadway should get the work first? District A chip seal might be enough to preserve some Five Engineer Brent Terstriep explained: pavement. Rougher pavement might need a mill and District Five starts with a condition survey report. It overlay. contains data collected by equipment on a special They check records to see what work has been done on KDOT van that travels over roadway measuring factors a given section in the past. The past can provide clues. like faulting, rutting and cracking. The report rates the Sometimes, they check core samples. level of deterioration measured by the van. After all the evaluation, they narrow down the list and District Five area engineers provide a list of highways submit it to headquarters for a final decision.
Feb. 3, 2021 ◄ Newsletter │ 9 New, updated websites help keep people informed
KDOT’s intranet website was recently updated, and in addition, a new website launched for the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation (IKE) Program. Both sites will keep employees informed on a variety of issues. The IKE site has up-to-date information for both employees and the public about projects and the overall transportation program. Check out the IKE website here. The KDOT intranet has been redesigned and includes several new additions, including a features section, latest news and announcements, job openings and quick links. The existing intranet homepage bookmark should still work, but others may need to be changed.
Both the 2021 Annual Report and 2021 Annual Report Appendix are available on the KDOT internet. Both links are at the top right of the Publications and Report page here.
10 │ Newsletter ► Feb. 3, 2021 To register, click here - lpe.ku.edu/transportation-safety
Annual Transportation Safety Conference will take place virtually The annual Transportation Safety Conference on April event. Keynote and breakout sessions cover injury 20 and 21 provides valuable information for state and control, law enforcement, youth issues, roadway safety, local government officials, engineers, safety advocates, medical marijuana and public safety, older driver issues, law enforcement personnel, court professionals, EMT children in vehicles and more. Several networking and EMS workers, educators and counselors, special breaks allow attendees to meet and talk with speakers, interest group representatives and more. colleagues and vendors in the virtual exhibit hall. The conference will be held virtually, as a live online For more information, click here.
Oregon continues rolling out alternatives to gas tax
According to an article in Better Roads magazine, Highway Fund. The drivers receive a gas-tax credit Oregon continues to lead the nation in rolling out to offset the road charge. Drivers of electric or hybrid alternatives to the gas tax, with a new experiment vehicles can get a reduction in state registration fees for planned for its OReGO pay-per-mile system. participating. The state has been experimenting with OReGO The latest expansion follows a federal grant enabling since 2015, when it became the first state to roll out ODOT to recruit Portland area drivers for the Local a road charge, according to the Oregon Department Road Usage Charge Pilot. The pilot will begin after the of Transportation. Volunteer participants are charged recruitment ends in February and will continue through 1.8 cents per mile, which goes directly to the State late summer, ODOT says. For more details, click here.
Feb. 3, 2021 ◄ Newsletter │ 1 1 Numerous crews responded as a large portion of Kansas received snow in late January. District Three crews worked for nearly three solid days clearing snow from that winter storm. Top left, KHP Trooper Tod Hileman caught the Hays crew in action on I-70. Above, Nolan Roth of KAKE news shared this photo from Russell on Jan. 26. At left, freezing fog made for a winter wonderland at the District Three headquarters on Jan. 29. Photo by Lisa Mussman, District Three.
District Six employee Larry Kjellberg took this photo on K-4 west of U.S. 283. The storm started as rain in the area, then followed by about 6-8 inches of snow.
12 │ Newsletter ► Feb. 3, 2021 Trivia! Cherries - 3. Which President had a bad encounter with cherries? 1. How many varieties of sweet and tart cherries are 4. How many cherries does an average tree produce? there? 5. What country leads in cherry production? 2. What state grows the most sweet cherries in the 6. Who are Bing cherries named after? U.S.? Which state grows the most tart cherries?
Kudos To James Roudybush (District Two), As I was driving to work this morning in the dark, on a snowy, foggy From the northwest Kansas Kansas highway, I felt compelled to send you guys a note. Facebook page - So I was driving north on K-14 from Beloit to Mankato, then west on U.S. I just want you guys to know 36 to Smith Center, trying to keep my little car on the road, and I was what a great job you do. I know reminded again about what a great job our KDOT workers are doing to in many cases your efforts go keep the roads safe for their customers. Despite a recent severe weather unnoticed. In today’s world it is event, the snow was completely plowed back and the pavement was dry, so easy to take for granted the the road signs were all in their places and highly visible, and the highway amenities that you all provide lines were bright and highly reflective, even in the fog. It goes without until we need them. saying that the bridges and pavement are also in decent condition. I really I cannot commend you enough think that KDOT is a rare example of the taxpayers getting their money’s for a job well done. Keeping worth. the interstate safe and clean We are really gratified that you and your dedicated workers know what is is a thankless job when you’re important and focus on keeping things safe for the traveling public. We surrounded by ungrateful and recognize your tireless efforts and thank you for your service! impatient people. Mark A. Eilert, Thank you again! Applequist Manufacturing
Trivia answers
1. More than 1,000, but only about 20 varieties are used speculate there may have been Salmonella in one of in commercial production. them. 2. Washington grows about 62 percent of the sweet 4. About 7,000. cherries. Michigan grows more than half of the country’s 5. Since 1990, it’s Turkey. tart cherries. 6. An orchard foreman named Ah Bing who helped 3. President Zachary Taylor enjoyed a glass of milk develop a dark red variety in the late 19th century near and a bowl of cherries on July 4, 1850. He developed Milwaukee, Ore. severe stomach pains and died four days later. Experts
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